Ashtead Reports Surge In Profit

Ashtead Group PLC ASHTF reported a strong rise in its fiscal first-half pretax profit. Ashtead's pretax profit for the period climbed to GBP82.9 million, from GBP23.6 million, in the year-ago period. Its revenue gained 24% to GBP575.5 million. Ashtead's board declared an interim dividend of 1.0 pence per share, versus 0.93 pence, last year.